Minecraft servers run on either a shared or dedicated IP address that players use to connect and play together. A Minecraft dedicated IP is a unique address assigned only to your game server. With one, you can set up a custom domain for your server that lets players join without typing in IP addresses and port numbers. Instead, players can type in a more memorable web address to connect.
On top of that, dedicated IPs are useful for running tools like Dynmap and BungeeCord when you use multiple services on the same Minecraft server. It also helps you avoid problems that come from sharing an IP with other servers on the same host.
What a dedicated IP doesn’t do is improve game performance or server uptime in any way. Moreover, you may not need one if your goal is just to play with a few friends on the weekends. Below, we’ll cover all these aspects in more detail, so you can decide if a dedicated IP is worth the cost for your Minecraft server.
What is a dedicated IP?
Unlike a shared IP address, a dedicated IP is a unique address assigned to a single device or server. It looks like a string of numbers, such as 192.168.1.1 or 203.0.113.10, which helps other devices find and connect to it online.
For Minecraft, a dedicated IP gives your server its own public address rather than sharing one with other users on the same host (as with Apex Hosting, BisecHosting, and others). This makes it easier for players to join your world and can eliminate the need for extra port settings that some shared hosting setups require.
Why do you need a dedicated IP for Minecraft?
Most players won’t need a dedicated IP for Minecraft, but it does have some advantages:
- Easier server joining: Other players can connect to your server using your dedicated IP instead of having to add the port number as well (e.g., 203.0.113.42:25565).
- Simpler domain setup: You can link a custom domain like play.yourserver.com straight to your server’s IP, so you don’t need to add SRV records (for example, _minecraft._tcp.play.yourserver.com) for port handling.
- Less risk from shared IP issues: Using a dedicated IP means your Minecraft server is less likely to get targeted with DDoS attacks, banned, or blacklisted due to someone else’s actions.
- Greater flexibility for custom setups: A dedicated IP is especially useful if you run third-party services like Dynmap, BlueMap, or a proxy system like BungeeCord or Velocity that often use additional ports or multiple server connections.
- No disruption from host-side IP changes: With a dedicated IP, the server address stays the same even if the provider rotates or reassigns IPs in their network. That avoids needing to update DNS records, resend connection details, or notify players about a new address whenever something changes.
Is a dedicated IP worth it for Minecraft?
While a Minecraft dedicated IP can simplify a few things and help you avoid shared IP blocks, here are a few things to consider before getting one:
- Extra monthly fees: Unless you’re planning to host a large community, Minecraft server plans already cost a fair bit, even before adding a dedicated IP.
- You are responsible for the IP’s reputation: Any abuse reports, spam traffic, or blocklisting tied to that address affect your setup directly, so you’re in charge of fixes if something goes wrong.
- No performance benefits: A dedicated IP does not improve FPS, TPS, latency, or server hardware performance, nor does it magically improve uptime. Only the hosting provider and the plan you choose have any impact on those areas.
- You may not need one: Small private servers can usually get by with a shared IP, a custom domain with SRV records, or virtual LAN tools like NordVPN Meshnet. More details on that in a bit.
How much does a dedicated IP cost?
Most Minecraft hosts offer dedicated IPs as a paid add-on at about $3-$4/month depending on the provider. For instance:
- GGServers mentions the cost “can be as low as $3/month depending on your plan.”
- A dedicated IP on BisectHosting costs around $3.99/month.
- An Apex Hosting dedicated IP is $4/month, with higher-tier server plans offering the option for free.
Note that these prices don’t include the base server rental costs, which range from $12 to $23 per month for common plans, with higher prices for larger modded servers or large communities.
What is an alternative to a Minecraft dedicated IP?
If that sounds like a lot just to play with a few friends, NordVPN’s Meshnet feature may be a better fit. Basically, Meshnet lets you create a private virtual LAN between multiple devices, so you can all play Minecraft as if you were on the same local network.
It also saves you the trouble of setting up port forwarding for gaming—if you even can, considering some ISPs use CGNAT to prevent direct inbound connections to your router. Meshnet can also help with “Unable to connect to world” and similar Minecraft connection issues.
Best of all, you don’t even need a NordVPN subscription to get started. Just create a free account and download the NordVPN app for each player, and you’re set.
Minecraft dedicated IP FAQs
Is a dedicated IP good for gaming?
A dedicated IP can be good for gaming when you host multiplayer servers or need a fixed address for connections. It does not automatically reduce latency or improve performance, but it can make server access more consistent and easier to manage.
Is a dedicated IP safer?
A dedicated IP can be safer for a Minecraft server because you do not share the same IP with anyone else. If another user or server on a shared IP gets blocked, blacklisted, or targeted by a DDoS or other attack, those issues are less likely to affect your server.
What is an A record and SRV record?
An A record is a DNS setting that points a domain to an IP address, such as 203.0.113.10 or 198.51.100.25. When someone types something like play.yourserver.com, DNS uses the A record to find which IP address to connect to.
For Minecraft, an SRV record adds extra routing details when you also need to include a port number, typically on shared IP servers. For example, _minecraft._tcp.play.yourserver.com points the domain to a specific IP and port like 203.0.113.10:25565, which helps players connect without typing the port manually.
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